The cost of living in Rapid City, SD is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $807 a month — 23% lower than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $533 and two-bedrooms $1,156.
Median household income here is $65,712, about the same as the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $970 before food and transport. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.
Rent1BR $807
Buying a Home$270,000
Income$65,712
Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).
GroceriesMidwest
Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
Utilities15.4¢/kWh
Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Gas$3.85/gal
EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.
State Taxes (SD)4.2% sales
State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.
Crime718.9 violent
FBI Crime Data Explorer, Rapid City Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.
People & LifestyleAge 39.0 yrs
Climate47.1°F
Rapid City cost of living — FAQ
- Is Rapid City expensive to live in?
- Rapid City is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $807 per month ranks #136 of 158 and is 23% lower than the $1,043 median.
- What is the average rent in Rapid City?
- Average rent in Rapid City, SD runs a studio around $533, a one-bedroom around $807, a two-bedroom around $1,156, a three-bedroom around $1,260 per month (US Census ACS).
- How much do you need to earn to live in Rapid City?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $807 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year. The median household income here is $65,712.
- How much does it cost to live in Rapid City per month?
- A rough monthly baseline for one person in Rapid City is about $970 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.
Compare Rapid City with nearby cities
Nearby cities
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.